Day 1: Claire (Meeting with Rebekah)

You wake to the persistent buzz of your phone.

7:14 AM — Five messages from Rebekah.

You don’t even need to look. You messaged her as soon as the show was over and let her know which Lady of the College Spread deck you’d ended up with and which challenges you could use. She told you to get to bed while she got to work - she needed her player to be in top condition.

You groggily rub at your eyes, swipe to unlock.

7:01 AM Okay, Fresher. You drew Claire Kowalski, 3♣. Challenge cards: Oral, Naked Kiss, Public Sex, Kiss and Anal. There’s no point in going big with someone like her, she’ll freak at anal, let alone public play. And a **** contract. Save that until you have someone REALLY into you. This is not a point-heavy week. But it could be a statement week. Trust me.

7:03 AM She’s a Music major, sophomore, performs regularly on campus. She’s composed. Controlled. But I found an article she wrote last year — “Music and the Mastery of Self: When Sound Strips You Bare” She claims music isn’t sexual. That’s a lie. She just doesn’t want anyone to see it.

7:04 AM I’ve decided on your challenge here. You’re going to go for a naked kiss. It’s not a high score, but if you hold her card afterwards she can secure the low end of a flush or straight, or even be part of a low pair in a full house. As to my part - you’re going to go all in for that “When Sound Strips You Bare” idea- you’re going to do it while you undress her and she plays piano.

7:06 AM We’re not scoring a queen here. We’re making a three shine like one.

You follow my setup, this week becomes legendary.

7:07 AM Meet me at Grindhouse Café at 9. We talk logistics. I want to see your reaction in real time.

7:09 AM Oh, and Player One? Wear something clean. You’re representing the brand now.

You chuckle, still half-tangled in your sheets. Rebekah didn’t ask to be your manager — she declared herself. After she secured your week-5 double-play, she’d made it clear: if you were serious about winning, you needed someone like her in your corner.

And so here you are. Hungover on adrenaline and nerves, about to make plans to undress a music major during a recital because your tactician believes it will somehow not only work, but blow the judges’ minds.

You drag yourself into the shower, her phrase still echoing in your head.

“A three shine like a queen.”

9:02 AM – Grindhouse Café

Rebekah's already got a table, two laptops open, an oat milk latte untouched beside her. She’s got that same predator-focus you’ve seen in clips of her tournament wins — lean forward, eyes fixed, posture tense like she’s about to click heads in a MOBA.

She looks up as you approach. “Player One,” she says, smirking. “Ready to turn recital into revelation?”

You sit. “Tell me how this isn’t just a pipe dream.”

“Not a dream. A challenge.” She taps her laptop. “Claire Kowalski. Pianist. Campus recitals every month. Next one? Tomorrow night. I’ve watched three of her past performances already. She’s good. Polished. Reserved. But…”

She pulls up a freeze-frame.

“Here.”

It’s a still of Claire, eyes closed, lips parted, head tilted ever-so-slightly back. The moment after her final note.

“She gets off on perfection,” Rebekah says. “Not metaphorically. She climaxes when she plays just right. You can’t teach that — that’s a wired kink. And she wrote about it, only she hid it in music theory babble.”

You blink. “Wait, what?”

“The essay I mentioned. Said good music was like a striptease. Slow, deliberate, layered. Then claimed it wasn’t sexual. Bullshit. I’m telling you, she’s wired to orgasm on command — the command being self-control in the face of stimulus.”

You sit back. Before you started this game you’d have said it was crazy. Now… it’s a Wednesday. An INTENSE one, but still another regular day. “And your plan?”

“We go see her perform tomorrow,” she says, tapping the side of her temple. “I confirm the theory. Then we pitch her the game. Carefully. Slowly. Truthfully. She gets off on hiding it. Let’s offer her the thrill of almost being seen.”

“…and getting a naked kiss score?”

“While playing,” Rebekah says, a gleam in her eye. “You kiss her neck. Undress her slowly. Stroke her skin. All while she has to keep her hands on the keys. Eyes forward. No flinching. No stopping. That’s her kink. She just doesn’t know it has a name yet.”

You exhale. “That’s… ambitious.”

“That’s College Spread. You want to score points? You play the game. You want to make history?” She leans forward. “We make a three the most unforgettable card in the deck.”

By noon, you’ve got your marching orders.

Watch Claire’s recital on Day 2.

Rebekah will confirm her theory — or pivot.

If it plays out like she expects? Then Day 3 becomes the pitch.

You leave the café with your head spinning, not from caffeine but from the sheer absurdity — and possibility — of what’s coming. And from working with someone so driven, so dedicated to her game. You almost feel GLAD to be going up against Cassie and Graham. Rebekah’s precise, uncompromising nature almost feels more machine than human.

Behind you, she’s already scanning the next video, muttering softly, “Center line secured. Let’s win this game.”

When your lunchtime class ends you head home to check out the group chat.

Rhett (Host): Week 6 kickoff! Challenges used so far: 1. Points scored: 0. Game on.

Cassie: Good luck, boys